Burden on those who take care of people with bipolar disorder predicts depressive symptoms more strongly than the other way around, according to a study involving 500 individuals.

All participants—who were taking care of patients with bipolar disorder—were a part of the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder. Investigators looked at the strength and direction of links between caregiver burden and depressive symptoms at baseline, 6, and 12 months. Among the results after controlling for certain variables:

• Higher overall caregiver burden at baseline was linked with increased depressive symptoms in caregivers at follow-up.

• Conversely, caregiver depression at baseline was not later linked with caregiver burden.

The authors concluded that helping caregivers early may decrease depressive symptoms.

Citation: Perlick D, Berk L, Kaczynski R, et al. Caregiver burden as a predictor of depression among family and friends who provide care for persons with bipolar disorder. [Published online ahead of print March 23, 2016]. Bipolar Disord. doi:10.1111/bdi.12379.